FX Orders Denis Leary Comedy Pilot ‘Bronx Warrants’

After a strong seven year run on FX’s successful firehouse dramedy Rescue Me, it looks like Denis Leary will be sticking with the network – but not as its star. Leary will serve as executive producer to the new FX comedy Bronx Warrants, which was given the official green-light this week.

Bronx Warrants is based on the real lives of David Joglar and Richard Wetzel, (who also act as co-producers) and centers on a group of wayward Bronx warrant detectives who are tasked with apprehending people with outstanding warrants. As the team receives bonuses for each “body” they bring in, their primary incentive is more the money than the true spirit of justice.

While there’s no formal word yet on who will being starring in the upcoming comedy, it is unlikely Leary will be taking on any other role than executive producer. Series creator Dean Lorey (Arrested Development) will also serve as an executive producer alongside Leary, Tom Sellitti and Jim Serpico (both worked together on Rescue Me and Canterbury’s Law).

Eric Schrier, FX executive vice president and head of series development, had this to say in a recent statement about the upcoming project:

“We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with Denis, Jim and Tom through seven years of Rescue Me and I believe they found the perfect project to continue that relationship. Dean Lorey has taken this unique squad and created a hilarious and surprising world of characters and situations.”

Lorey and Leary both add to Schfrier’s statement, with Leary speaking on behalf of Apostle, his New York-based production company he created along with Sellitti and Serpico:

“I’m thrilled to be working with Denis Leary, Jim Serpico and the great team at FX. We loved this show from the second real life Bronx Warrants cops David Joglar and Richard Wetzel shared their insane exploits with us and we can’t wait to get shooting.”

Leary adds:

“I speak for everyone at Apostle when I say it’s great to be welcomed back into the FX family where we hope to make a laugh-out-loud half hour and – even more importantly – use the network’s juice to sneak into the Emmy gifting suites and come away with many bags of shiny swag.”

With the same production team as FX’s smash hit firefighter drama on board, it’s almost certain that Bronx Warrants will feature the same brand of fast paced comedy that made Rescue Me such a big success for the network. Fans of Leary may be a bit bummed that the stand-up comedian won’t be taking center stage on his new project – but just cause he’s not the main star doesn’t mean fans can’t still hold on to the hope that Leary might make an on-screen appearance in a guest spot.